What Are the Signs & Symptoms of OCD in Children?

Approximately one in every 200 children and adolescents has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The disorder often runs in families, and it is speculated that OCD that begins in childhood is different from the OCD that can develop later in life. Medication and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are the most common treatments, and parents are often encouraged to find an experienced therapist.

Cleanliness Rituals

• Some children with OCD become obsessed with cleanliness. Parents may notice excessive hand washing, toothbrushing, hair grooming, showering and bathroom trips. Also, such kids may avoid playgrounds or other child hangouts due to fear of germs.

Counting Rituals

• Other children with OCD exhibit obsessions with counting, order and symmetry. For example, some may avoid certain quantities or numbers, viewing them as "bad" numbers. Some insist on adhering to a certain order for seemingly insignificant objects. Others count or repeat certain words or phrases a specific number of times. These rituals may impact a child's homework and grades; for example, some may take too long answering homework or test questions, negatively impacting their grades.

Other Signs

• While parents sometimes fail to notice their kids manifesting OCD rituals, they often recognize their effects. For example, they may not realize their child is handwashing excessively until they observe unexplained chapped hands and high water bills. Other signs of OCD include sudden grade drops, excessive erasing and rewriting and repetitively tracing over words or letters on homework assignments.